Somali Travel and Tourism Expo 2025 Stories

Somalia’s first female captain Yasmin Abdi Farah wins pilot of the year 2025
Abdirahman Khalif  |  Oct 02, 2025

The award was presented at the Somali Travel and Tourism Expo 2025 in Mogadishu, where aviation professionals and industry leaders gathered to celebra...

Kenya, Benin ink agreement allowing six months visa-free visits
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Sep 25, 2025

The waiver, however, excludes those on diplomatic or consular postings. Holders of diplomatic, official, service, or ordinary passports assigned to su...

Morocco expands e-visa system for eight African nations ahead of AFCON 2025
Bashir Mbuthia  |  Sep 22, 2025

Authorities say the move is aimed at streamlining entry procedures, strengthening security, and managing the expected influx of fans and visitors duri...

Governors, MCAs spent Sh16 billion on travel in one year, says CoB Margaret Nyakang’o
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Sep 20, 2025

The report by Margaret Nyakang’o shows that Sh14.22 billion went to domestic travel, while another Sh2.01 billion was used on international trips.

Nairobi tops counties' travel spending, development projects left behind – CoB report
Lucy Mumbi  |  Sep 18, 2025

In her report, Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o warned that such spending is excessive, unnecessary, and diverts resources from essential infra...

2026 UAE visa ban: List of affected countries
Charity Pancras  |  Sep 18, 2025

Although the bans affect many seeking work or travel opportunities, they underscore the importance of compliance with visa rules and legal requirement...

State officials flock to Geneva, New York and Dubai despite travel limits - CoB
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Sep 05, 2025

The most expensive single trip was a 15-day mission by 40 officials from the State Department for Labour and Skills Development to attend the Internat...

State House drains Sh3.6 billion in 42 days, raising alarm over reckless spending
Lucy Mumbi  |  Sep 03, 2025

The report shows the Treasury made three approvals totalling Sh3.6 billion to cover domestic travel, hospitality supplies, fuel, and vehicle maintenan...

Rwanda agrees to take 250 migrants deported from US in bid to deepen ties with Washington
Mwangi Maina  |  Aug 05, 2025

The US State Department has already sent Kigali a list of names for the first batch, with the initial 10 deportees expected to arrive soon, according...

Jet lag hacks: How different cultures combat 'time zone fatigue'
Margaret Wanjiru  |  Jul 26, 2025

While there is no guaranteed cure, exposure to natural light, hydration, movement, and dietary adjustments are all effective ways to support recovery.

Kenya holds strongest passport in East Africa in 2025, ranks 69th globally – Henley Index
Alfred Onyango  |  Jul 24, 2025

Despite its dominance in the East African region, Kenya’s passport dropped slightly in the global rankings, falling from 67th in 2024 to 69th in 2025,...

Kenya scraps visa fees, entry forms and ETA for African and Caribbean nationals
Lucy Mumbi  |  Jul 14, 2025

The government confirmed that citizens from these regions are now exempt from ETA approvals, visa application forms, and associated fees.

Three-month limit: US slaps new visa restrictions on Nigerians, Ghanaians
Bashir Mbuthia  |  Jul 11, 2025

Effective immediately, most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to citizens of Nigeria will be single-entry visas with a three-month validit...

US Embassy warns Ugandans against misusing tourist visas for births
Bashir Mbuthia  |  Jul 02, 2025

While the immigration rules apply to all US visa holders worldwide, the Embassy in Kampala highlighted the growing trend among Ugandans using tourist...

African leaders urge US to ramp up investment, rethink tariffs
Alfred Onyango  |  Jun 25, 2025

Senior State Department Bureau Official Troy Fitrell said there are business leaders in the US who need to understand the opportunities that lie in do...

Tanzania seeks dialogue with US over potential travel ban
Bashir Mbuthia  |  Jun 18, 2025

Reports indicate that the draft list of countries being considered for travel restrictions by the US includes 26 African states as well as nations fro...

Uganda, Tanzania among 36 nations facing possible new US travel restrictions
Bashir Mbuthia  |  Jun 16, 2025

Reports indicate that the draft list includes 26 African countries as well as nations from the Caribbean, Central Asia and the Pacific Islands.

Chad suspends visas for US citizens in retaliation for inclusion in travel ban
Mwangi Maina  |  Jun 05, 2025

Chad joins seven other African countries affected by Washington's travel ban.

AU warns Trump’s travel ban threatens decades of Africa-US cooperation
Mwangi Maina  |  Jun 05, 2025

AUC chairperson Mahamoud Ali Youssouf acknowledged the US government's sovereign right to protect its borders and ensure the security of its citizens...

World Bank flags wasteful spending on public servants’ travel allowances
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  May 29, 2025

When travelling abroad, especially to the United States, civil servants receive about $513 (Sh66,317) daily, a figure the World Bank says needs urgent...

Somali Government reopens Doolow airport after four-month closure
Lucy Mumbi  |  May 12, 2025

The reopening of the airport, which had been shut down due to security concerns, comes after a review and assurances from local authorities that the a...

MPs award themselves Sh1.62 billion for travel, entertainment
Lucy Mumbi  |  Mar 16, 2025

Initially, the Treasury had proposed an additional Sh120 million for Parliament in its submission to the Liaison Committee chaired by Deputy Speaker G...

Lavish travel spending persists as MPs, State House splash Sh7.8 billion in six months
Lucy Mumbi  |  Mar 13, 2025

The CoB notes that MPs emerged as the highest spenders, consuming Sh3.89 billion, which represents 40.7 per cent of the total travel expenditure.

South Sudan slams travel advisories from US, Britain
XINHUA  |  Mar 13, 2025

Mayen told reporters that the government has taken all necessary steps to restore order following last week's arrests of several opposition and milita...

Kenya to revise visa, travel authorisation rules for Mombasa Port arrivals
Lucy Mumbi  |  Feb 23, 2025

Ruto said the changes would facilitate a hassle-free experience for tourists and other visitors arriving via the port.

Kenya cancels multi-billion-shilling Adani border security project for visitor tracking
Lucy Mumbi  |  Feb 02, 2025

The new system was designed to integrate immigration, customs, border patrol, and intelligence units, facilitating real-time sharing of information.

Somali refugees in Dadaab fear Trump’s return will trigger new travel ban
The New Humanitarian  |  Feb 02, 2025

Tough new security checks meant the number of arriving refugees tumbled from the 84,994 recorded during Barack Obama’s last year in office to a record...

Kenyan passport's status drops slightly in latest Henley Index global ranking
Charles Adinda  |  Jan 10, 2025

Despite the drop, Kenya's passport remains relatively strong within the African continent, ranking eighth in the region.

Kenya joins list of Africa’s best travel destinations for 2025
Lucy Mumbi  |  Jan 02, 2025

Kenya, a country where nature thrives, continues to captivate visitors with its diverse offerings.

Government spent Sh1 billion on foreign travel in three months - CoB
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Dec 25, 2024

The expenditure, which covers the period from July to September 2024, highlights the significant costs associated with the government's foreign engage...

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